Promotion to Special Jonin

Repelling the Raikage!

A powerful candidate for saving the Nine-Tails jinchūriki and the future Fourth Hokage!

What a monumental achievement this is!

"Zaraki Kenpachi... Seireitei..." The Third Hokage chewed on these two unfamiliar terms, his gaze landing on Uchiha Ryūha. "Ryūha, your master, he..."

"My master wanders the four corners of the world. He only appeared to assist because he sensed I was in danger. He has already departed." Uchiha Ryūha fabricated the story without changing his expression. "As for Seireitei, my master did not speak much of it."

The Third Hokage looked at him deeply, not pressing for more.

Everyone has secrets.

As long as this secret was not harmful to Konoha, and perhaps even beneficial, he did not mind.

"Today's events are to be classified as top-secret for Konoha; no one is to speak of this to outsiders."

The Third Hokage scanned the group, lingering on Shimura Danzō. "The Raikage infiltrated Konoha to abduct the jinchūriki; Kumogakure must provide an explanation for this. However, it is not the time to escalate matters. We shall discuss detailed countermeasures once we return to the village."

"Understood!" everyone replied in unison.

"Return to the village."

The next day, at the Hokage Office.

The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the report in his hands, remaining silent for a long time.

The report detailed the events of last night, as well as Uchiha Ryūha's performance earlier—during the Chunin Exams and his rapid clearance of the Forest of Death.

The crushing victory in the preliminaries, the change in Hatake Sakumo, and even tracing back to the "Eye of the Heart" during the graduation exam...

Everything pointed to the same young boy.

Uchiha Ryūha.

Eleven years old, having graduated less than two months ago.

Yet, he had already stirred the winds and clouds of Konoha.

"What are your thoughts?" The Third Hokage put down the report and looked at the people in the office.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura frowned deeply.

Shimura Danzō remained expressionless, but the chill in his single eye was almost tangible.

Uchiha Fugaku suppressed his excitement, maintaining a calm demeanor.

"This child is gifted with extraordinary talent and a steady temperament. What is even rarer is his sense of belonging to the village, having performed great deeds repeatedly."

Mitokado Homura said slowly, "But that 'master'... his origins are unknown, and his power is bizarre. We must be on guard."

"Guard? How do we guard against him?" Utatane Koharu shook her head. "A powerhouse of that level, if he harbored malice, could have slaughtered half of Konoha last night. But he saved Namikaze Minato and Kushina and repelled the Raikage. At least for now, he seems to have good intentions toward Konoha."

"Good intentions?" Shimura Danzō sneered. "Those who are not of our kin will surely have different hearts. That Zaraki Kenpachi, and the so-called 'Seireitei', are not in our intelligence network at all. Uchiha Ryūha being able to receive guidance from such a powerhouse suggests the forces hidden behind him are likely far beyond our imagination."

He looked at the Third Hokage, his voice low: "Hiruzen, I suggest placing Uchiha Ryūha under the surveillance system of Root, and if necessary..."

"That is enough." The Third Hokage interrupted him, his voice not loud, but carrying unquestionable authority.

"Uchiha Ryūha is a ninja of Konoha, a hero who saved the jinchūriki and the future Hokage, not a subject for your 'if necessary'."

Shimura Danzō's face darkened, and he said no more.

The Third Hokage looked at Uchiha Fugaku: "Fugaku, Ryūha is your clansman, what do you think?"

Uchiha Fugaku took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed: "Hokage-sama, although Ryūha comes from a branch family, his talent, temperament, and achievements are plain for all to see. He has performed such a great service this time as well. I believe he should be heavily rewarded, so that other young people can see that Konoha will not treat those who bleed and toil for the village unfairly."

The Third Hokage nodded and looked at Namikaze Minato, who had been silent all along: "Minato, you were involved, your opinion is the most important."

Namikaze Minato stood up and said solemnly: "Hokage-sama, I believe Ryūha-kun is the hope of Konoha's future. Not only is he powerful, but his character is upright, and he is willing to stand up for his companions and the village at critical moments. If not for him last night, Kushina and I would surely have died, and the Nine-Tails might have fallen into the hands of Kumogakure. Konoha should not fail such a great debt."

The Third Hokage slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, the haze blurring his features.

After a long while, he extinguished his pipe and said in a deep voice: "Issue the order."

Everyone in the office straightened their expressions.

"Uchiha Ryūha, your performance in the Chunin Exams was exceptional, setting a new record for clearing the Forest of Death and bringing great honor to Konoha."

"During last night's sneak attack by Kumogakure, you remained calm under pressure, and your master repelled the Raikage."

"By protecting the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the future Fourth Hokage, you turned the tide in a moment of crisis. Your contributions are monumental."

"Following a decision by the upper echelons, you are hereby promoted—"

The voice of the Third Hokage echoed clearly and powerfully through the office:

"Promoting Uchiha Ryūha to—Konoha Special Jonin!"

"Effective immediately!"

Special Jonin!

An eleven-year-old Special Jonin!

One of the youngest Special Jonin since the founding of Konoha!

Uchiha Fugaku clenched his fists tightly, suppressing his excitement.

Namikaze Minato wore a sincere smile on his face.

Shimura Danzō's expression turned ashen, but in the end, he did not voice any opposition.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances and nodded slowly.

"Furthermore," the Third Hokage continued, "you are granted three A-rank ninjutsu scrolls and special permission to access the outer perimeter of the Scroll of Seals for one reading session."

"Your salary will be adjusted to the Special Jonin standard, and you are authorized to form an independent squad with full mission privileges."

He looked at Fugaku: "Fugaku, the promotion ceremony for Ryūha will be handled by your Uchiha clan and held in three days."

"At that time, I will personally bestow his forehead protector upon him."

Fugaku bowed deeply: "Yes! Thank you, Lord Hokage!"

The news spread through Konoha like the wind.

"Have you heard? Uchiha Ryūha has been promoted to Special Jonin!"

"An eleven-year-old Special Jonin?! You must be joking!"

"It's absolutely true! Lord Hokage issued the order himself! They say it's because of his great achievements in the Chunin Exams, and he even helped repel the Kumogakure sneak attack last night!"

"My god... this promotion speed is even faster than that of the White Fang back in the day, isn't it?"

"Faster? It's like riding a rocket!"

Discussions erupted on every street corner.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Ryūha, the center of the storm, stood under the eaves of his courtyard.

He looked at the brand-new forehead protector in his hand, engraved with the Konoha symbol.

Sunlight spilled onto the metal, reflecting a cold, sharp light.

He adjusted his glasses, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.

Special Jonin.

This is only the beginning.

The stage of Konoha has already been set.

And his play has only just begun.

Outside the window, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

A new legend is being quietly written.